‘Shenanigans will no doubt ensue’: a weekend with the Erdrich sisters
Erdrich Sisters: an evening with Louise, Heid, Lise, and Angela Erdrich
Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m.
Stern Cultural Center at NDSCS, Wahpeton
ND Governor’s Award Presentation to Louise Erdrich
Friday, April 19, 7 p.m.
NDSCS Student Center
The acclaimed Erdrich sisters have long been an example of what is pure and good within art and literature. Originally from Wahpeton, N.D., Louise, Heid, Lise, and Angela have enjoyed success in a wide variety of artistic endeavors. April 20 will mark the first time all four will be together for a joint reading and artistic presentation.
The Red Door Art Gallery and Three Rivers Art Council are sponsoring “Erdrich Sisters” on Saturday at the Stern Cultural Center at the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS). The creative presentation and discussion will take place from 10 – 12 p.m., followed by a luncheon and book signing. Tickets are $25 and available through the gallery by calling 701-591-1010.
“We will try not to be too darn foolish for our parents,” Heid said, “but with all of us together, shenanigans will no doubt ensue.”
Heid is an accomplished poet who has published several poetry collections, including National Monuments (2008), winner of the Minnesota Book Award; The Mother’s Tongue (2005), part of Salt Publishing’s award-winning Earthworks Series of Native American and Latin American literature; and Fishing for Myth (1997).
Lise is a writer who has a penchant for flash fiction, as evident in her newest book Night Train. She is also the author of the two children’s picture books entitled Sacagawea and Bears Make Rock Soup. When she isn’t writing, Lise runs a gardening program with American Indian youth.
Angela specializes in visual art and photography. In addition, Angela is a doctor who has worked with the American Indian community her entire career. She utilizes her artistic talents to create health publications and videos on public health topics that face American Indian youth and families.
Louise is a prolific and accomplished writer. She has written a total of 14 novels, one short story collection, six children’s books, three poetry collections, and three non-fiction books. Her novel Love Medicine won the 1984 National Book Critics Circle Award and in 2009, her novel The Plague of Doves was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Most recently, Louise was awarded both the 2012 National Book Award for Fiction and the 2013 Minnesota Book Award for Fiction for her novel The Round House.
On April 1, 2013, North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple named Louise the 39th recipient of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens. Dalrymple will present Louise with the award during a special event in Wahpeton on April 19.
“An Evening with Louise Erdrich” will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 19, at the NDSCS Student Center. In addition to the award presentation, Louise will give a reading from her work. A reception and book signing will follow at the Red Door Art Gallery in Wahpeton. Both the award ceremony and reception are open to the public.
